Orland Park Joins Tinley Park & Orland Township for Hurricane Relief

Three local governments pooled their resources to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

The Villages of Orland Park and Tinley Park, along with Orland Township, brought all of their donations together for a first load that headed to Texas on September 12.

"This is a great example of three organizations working together to help the people of Texas," said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau.

Orland Park began its collection on September 1 and will continue to accept donations until 5 p.m. on Friday, September 15. Tinley Park's collection closed on Friday, September 8 and Orland Township's contributions are headed to Texas with the first semi-truck load.

"I know those affected by this tragedy will feel its impact for years to come, and Tinley Park will continue to help any way we can," said Tinley Park Mayor Jacob Vandenberg. "In the short term, my hope is that the goods donated by our residents will bring a little bit of comfort to such a catastrophic situation."

Pekau, Vandenberg and Tinley Park Trustee Brian Younker helped load the semi-tractor trailer with the pallets of donations that have come in.

Tinley Park's collection continued Friday night at the Tinley Park High School football game.

"We collected at the Tinley Park vs Oak Forest Football Game and had people from throughout the community help us sort and load on Saturday," Younker said.

"We're especially grateful to KR Drenth Trucking in Lynwood; ZForce Transportation out of Chicago Heights and Airy's, Inc. from Tinley Park for getting everything down to Texas," Younker said. "We're also grateful to the many businesses that helped both Orland and Tinley with their collections."

Orland Park's portion of the first load included a pick-up truck full of water and sports drinks purchased by Orland Park police personnel with the donation matched by Costco Orland Park.

"Our village employees have gone above and beyond to help any way they can," Pekau said. "The police collected within their department. The Public Works staff has been great with sorting all of the donations and employees at each of our collection sites have been very helpful."

"We also want to send our thanks to the many local businesses that have helped with this effort in particular the Lowe's and Jewel Stores in Orland Park that have provided boxes and pallets to prepare the donations for transport," Pekau added.

Area residents wanting to contribute may do so through September 15 at 5 P.M. Orland Park's collection sites, the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue; the village's Sportsplex at 11351 West 159th Street; and at the Orland Park Health and Fitness Center at 15430 West Avenue.